Ouch. I think that team is worse than our current one, both in the present and future.

No it wouldn't. Imo the proposed new starting lineup would beat the current lineup now.

Let's throw Sully into the starting lineup, since Collins is maybe the worst veteran in the NBA.

KG / Sully / Pierce / Bradley / Rondo

vs.

Horford / Hansborough / Brewer / Bradley / Teague

I'd take KG over Horford, Pierce over Brewer, and Rondo over Teague. The gap between Hansborough and Sully isn't so big that it makes up for those other three advantages. Heck, their production is currently extremely similar, and Sullinger has a ton of room to grow.

I think they have already started. The last game against Memphis was an encouraging step forward and I think they will continue to improve over the next few games.

The main thing for me right now is Rondo getting fully healthy. As soon as that happens, they're in business. Getting Jason Collins out of the starting lineup would be great also. I have no idea why Doc insists on keeping him there. It's the massive mistake.

Ouch. I think that team is worse than our current one, both in the present and future.

No it wouldn't. Imo the proposed new starting lineup would beat the current lineup now.

Let's throw Sully into the starting lineup, since Collins is maybe the worst veteran in the NBA.

KG / Sully / Pierce / Bradley / Rondo

vs.

Horford / Hansborough / Brewer / Bradley / Teague

I'd take KG over Horford, Pierce over Brewer, and Rondo over Teague. The gap between Hansborough and Sully isn't so big that it makes up for those other three advantages. Heck, their production is currently extremely similar, and Sullinger has a ton of room to grow.

Kg is not better than Horford this year. Look at Horford's stats. Atl is not one of the teams for nothing. Pierce offensively is better than Brewer but not defensively. And though Rondo may have a slight edge on Teague, some teams would rather take Teague because of his shooting ability alone.

Anyways Roy , the blow up strategy is mostly a fun, not realistic option. Only way that happens too, is if Ainge and Rivers are fired in the same instance.

I think they have already started. The last game against Memphis was an encouraging step forward and I think they will continue to improve over the next few games.

The main thing for me right now is Rondo getting fully healthy. As soon as that happens, they're in business. Getting Jason Collins out of the starting lineup would be great also. I have no idea why Doc insists on keeping him there. It's the massive mistake.

If the whole team can play from start to finish like they did last game in the 4th quarter vs memphis, things will get back to normal. The bench especially has to be more aggressive. Maybe blitzing the opposing ball handler coming through the half court should be the way defense is played on every possession. On the downside there is a higher chance of burning out your players.

Give AB a few weeks to get his game legs back under him, and then let's see where we're at.

By this time we may be solidly out of the playoff picture already, so what does it matter?

Or, we could be in the midst of a significant winning streak.

One of these days, CelticsBlog will just implode upon itself with doom and gloom.

What doom and gloom? What are you talking about?

If we're winning at the same clip until "Bradley gets his legs under him" -- which I would guess is the assumption -- we'll be indeed out of the playoff picture.

Why would this post suggest anything else? Is there a need to give Bradley leeway if we're in the midst of a winning streak?

The "doom and gloom" I'm speaking of is your point of view that the C's "could" continue winning at the same clip they have so far this season - even with AB.

A bit over-dramatic? Sure. But this is CelticsBlog, right?

For me? I choose to want to give this team a while to see "IF" AB being back is "really" the salve this team needs. That is why I chose "wait until the 21st of Feb" option.

I'm believing, on pure hope, that BOS can get it right over the next few weeks and reel off some win streak(s) in conjunction with AB's return. By doing that, they will play themselves right back into contender status, I believe.